One of the prime requisites to the harmonious adjustment of the problems which from time to time present themselves in the government of branch churches, and societies, is a working knowledge on the part of the members of the rules and by-laws laid down by our Leader in the Manual of The Mother Church for the guidance and protection of its membership body. Some of these rules are general in their application, some deal specifically with the branch organizations, while others, though intended primarily for The Mother Church, may in spirit at least serve to point the way under germane conditions; but one and all these rules are the evolution of the apostolic doctrine that "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace."
Membership in a church presupposes an active interest in its welfare. Certainly one who is equipped with the fundamentals of democratic government as outlined in the Manual, and who is familiar with such provisions as are afforded by the constitution and by-laws of the local organization, is in a position to decide more wisely, to reflect more clearly the one intelligence, in a church business meeting, than another who through apathy or indifference accepts what some one else has decided shall be done, and so puts himself in danger of acting against the best interests of the church through ignorance of what can and what cannot be done legally and rightfully. Particularly is this true when, as the time of the annual church election approaches, the problem of demand and supply in the way of official "timber" presents itself, and quite as often in the larger as in the smaller organizations though with less excuse.
Truly it is a lofty ideal which the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science holds up to its would-be exponents when in comparison with scholastic theology she speaks of it as "shorn of all personality, wholly apart from human hypotheses, matter, creed and dogma, the lust of the flesh and the pride of power" (Miscellany, p. 205). And is not this the goal she would have her followers attain, the goal toward which she persistently beckons them in the requirement that the "Rule for Motives and Acts" (Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 1) shall be read once a month in The Mother Church and all its branches? There may be those Christian Scientists who shirk the study of the Manual as not necessary, but if they are regular attendants at church service they cannot in this instance plead that ignorance of the law which excuses no one, because month after month and year after year this fundamental of Christian Science law and order is iterated and reiterated, even though it fall on unheeding ears. Like the "great commandment" which includes within itself all the others, so this one rule to which Mrs. Eddy has given such special emphasis would, if apprehended and obeyed in its entirety, render unnecessary any further regulations.
